Cocoa Adamfo Pa is born!

Through the diligent efforts of Clement Mensah, Cocoa Adamfo Pa is an official Ghanaian NGO.

Although it is challenging to work from the US we are moving forward. Clement has published educational materials and I have been working on the business end of things. We have a website and are working on ways to acquire funding for the work we hope to continue doing in Bechem.

http://sites.google.com/site/cocoaadamfopa

more pictures of the Summer 2007 visit

Return Trip

In June 2007 I was blessed with being able to return to Ghana with my daughter, Marissa. We had several missions., the first of which was to fulfill the promise I had made to the CDB Mensah family who had so lovingly opened their home and hearts to my during my tenure in Bechem.

I had collected a large donation to help with the building of the cathedral on the St. Joseph Teacher's Training college campus. My dear friend and spiritual mentor, Father Matthew Addai was being Invested as a monsignore. Brian and I had shippped new computer equipment to Emmanual for his print shop and he wanted to show it off to me. Our family had decided to purchase a generator for the Seed Production Unit in Bechem so the pumping sttaion would work to water the 250 acres of cocoa trees, newly pollinated despite frequent "light off" events. I wanted to check on the continued work of the Teacher Resource Center and the children's library at the on campus demonstration school. We planned to visit the School for the Deaf & Blind and assess their needs. I wanted Marissa to mee my beautiful Soap Lady and meet the warm and hardworking people of SPU. The HIV?Aids Club was geeting ready for their presentation at the International HIV/AIDS Awareness Conference in Toronto; we wanted to help out.We had one week.....

I remain connected in so many ways

I can hardly believe so much time has passed, it is time for an update. This update will take several days as I have several years to fill in so please bare with me. So many of you have supported me along this journey and continue to do so.

I am proud to report that I along with Clement Mensah have formulated a Ghanaian NGO. Cocoa Adamfo Pa has been extablished to reignite the spark of cocoa farming while instilling the need for furthering one's education. I was gifted a large parcel of land by the local Omahene in gratitude for the work I did in the community of Bechem. It is my intention that this gift will continue to give back to that loving and hardworking community for years to come. It is a slow process to get things started, especially from so far away and with limited funds. Clement continue to find ways in Bechem. I continue to find ways here in the US.

The upcoming posts will be a retrospective of what has transpired thus far, placing one foot in front of the other with an eye on the future.

Humbled Honored Hopefilled

Recently in Phoenix Arizona I trained next year's volunteers for IFESH.
At the closing ceremony dinner I was presented with an award for the work I completed in Ghana by my country representative. I was caught off guard as I had no idea this was even a practice of IFESH. When given a chance to speak I simply looked out at the roomful of colleagues and stated: I am humbled to receive such recognition. I am honored to be standing in this room with you. I am hopefilled as you prepare for your time in Africa.

My daughter, Marissa, is going to work with me to write my book.
I have also made several connections to help me with establishing the NGO in Bechem.
The World Cocoa Foundation has asked me to speak for them in upcoming events.
It seems IFESH and the World Cocoa Foundation as planning an educational conference to be held in Accra, Ghana in May 2007!

And I thought my time in Ghana was finished......

Cooking Ghanaian Style

I am so excited! I found a market in Boston that had Ghanaian food including fresh produce!
I had so much fun making my discoveries and purchases. I bought yam, plantain, pepe and palmnut oil!Now to try my hand at the cooking part. I will let you know how it goes.

SURPRISE!

I AM HOME in AMERICA!

I decided in February that I could not possibly miss my daughter’s graduation from college. From then I worked backwards on my calendar and got the things done I had committed to doing. I had the blessings of my NGO, my host family and fellow volunteers and managed to keep it a secret from my daughters too! This experience has been the most challenging endeavor I have taken on yet
I have many stories to tell, many pictures to share, but for now I am focusing my energies on HOME and FAMILY! I promise to be in touch very soon!

Things I Will Miss....

My fellow volunteers

My in country representatives

My host family

My adopted teacher at Methodist JSS

My enthusiastic teachers in Kwasu

My adopted school, St. Vincent’s

Principals and teachers happy to have me visit

Yam chips

Lively singing, dancing and in general jubilation of Mass

Saturday mornings with Adwoa baking bread

Afternoon walks with Cosmas and his stories

Walking to church at sunrise

People noticing you and greeting you as you walk along the street

Students wanting to carry your belongings even if it is a single book

Students of all ages greeting me respectfully, courteously and with SMILES!

And now for something completely different……

First of all I want to assure you that what you are about to read has not been edited in any way. As one travels along the roads of Ghana many towns are passed through. Both sides of the road very often are lined with kiosks or old railroad car containers turned into stores. Here for your entertainment are some of the names of these establishments. Ponder them and have yourselves a chuckle.

Jesus is My Manager Butik

By the Grace of God Electrician

Don’t Mind Your Wife Chop Bar

God Will Provide Salon

Jesus Cares Motor Parts

By His Grace Electrician

God’s Way Fried Yam

More Blessings Brakes

New Lovers Trading Company
(HMMMMM)

Live Fast Food
(Do you have to catch it first?)

Perceptions Change When You Get the True Story

I have made some observations and somehow along the way my view has evolved. When I considered the following:

Housing…at first I was shocked, then I accepted, now I understand

People….. at first welcoming, then humble, now I respect

Schools... at first I was appalled, then I accepted, now I am hope-filled

I am in awe at the way the land keeps thriving as do the people.

Children need nurturing and they barely get enough nourishment.

People need to live and see other people’s conditions and then take action not pity.

Ghana needs: sanitation, literacy, ecology dedication and elevation of education and JOBS!

Latest Headlines from Ghana

Japan Pledges More Support
The Japanese have pledged to assist Ghana in their continued efforts to improve its infrastructure especially in the road sector.

New Petroleum Prices Out Today
Increases in petroleum prices are between 9 – 13% Premium petro is now 34,850 cedis/gallon while gas oil is now at 32,000 cedis /gallon. This is the equivalent of about $4 and $3.55/GALLON. Any more complaints America????


Today is World Press Freedom Day (5 May)


President Inaugurates MRI Centre at Korle-Bu
First MRI equipment has arrived in Ghana at a teaching hospital in Accra. Kumasi should be in line next to receive similar equipment. Famous bacteriologist, Dr. Hideyo Noguchi conducted research in yellow fever in the laboratory at Korle-Bu.

Moves to Prevent Cholera in Kumasi
The main focus of the latest efforts will be to intensify public education campaign agencies and train community based surveillance teams. These teams will report cases ASAP. I still find it difficult to believe that there are places in the world where diseases we have eradicated in America still exist.

Mamfe-Adenta Road Takes Shape
This area of Ghana is well developed. They have prestigious schools, potable water, electricity yet the roads are AWFUL! I have had the uncomfortable experience of riding along this road and my spine has yet to fully recover.